Where I am now

Over the weekend I recorded half of the song 'White Winter Hymnal'. Because the song includes three people singing, I need the harmonies to be pitch perfect. This is the most time consuming as I have to go back and listen to the song to see if any notes are out of pitch. Once I have done this I will have completed the cover. I have recorded the guitar and tambourine which sound pretty good! As I may have mentioned earlier on my blog, I will have a shot of footage which will be recorded on the top of my car, I will have someone sitting in the passenger seat, holding a tripod out of my sunroof. Because I have a 'steady mode' on my camcorder, it should run pretty smooth. I will drive down bendy roads, country roads etc. to capture the location! This should hopefully keep the audience entertained!

Quick 5 minute attempt

This is my first attempt of animating the cut out heads. The heads were printed using my home computer which isn't very reliable due to the fact that the colour isn't always correct on the printouts. You will see in this video that the colour of the head changes colour throughout! I will hopefully overcome this by either using someone else's printer or simply buying a new one! Also I haven't correctly aligned the heads to make it more smooth, however if I were to use iStop-Motion for the whole process, I could align them with ease using the onion skin tool. This allows me to see a ghost-like preview of the last image taken.

Quick Test run! from Jordan Bezants on Vimeo.

Audience Response - After viewing this video to my media class, I gathered some answers which were highly beneficial, some were advantages, and others were disadvantages. However this will help me when I eventually film the final music video!
Many students agreed that the contrast of the background wasn't very strong, therefore I need the landscape to have a higher contrast to the faces when recording the final piece. The guitar head was rather off-putting and people seemed to have lost concentration to the moving head. I will have to be careful as I wish to have interesting landscape settings, but I do not want to distract the audience from the singing heads. Luke and I, when planning our storyboard, need to pay special attension to focal point, depth of field, and cinematography to ensure that our audience get our prefered reading. One of the key ways of achieveing this will be to ensure clarity and form in our still shots that we will use to create our animation, we may use the studio and chiaroscuric lighting for this.
However after the feedback, people seemed to enjoy watching the clip, and said it wouldn't get as tedious if the location changed every 5 seconds.

Folk Genre Research

As we split up our tasks 50/50, Luke has found some ideal research on the Folk genre. It includes the history of folk, the different styles of folk including folk rock, electric folk, and folk metal, Artists such as Bob Dylan etc. Also it includes the instruments mainly used in a folk song.
Here is the link to his research:
http://a2medialukebamber.blogspot.com/2010/12/folk-genre-research.html

Camera Angles

After researching music videos made by folk bands such as Fleet Foxes, Bombay Bicycle Club, Grizzly Bear, The Maccabees etc. I concentrated on the camera angles used. For the majority of Bombay Bicycle Club's music videos, the shots consist of extreme close ups, long pans, and jump shots. Also I noticed that the camcorder is purposely handheld without the use of a tripod to give their videos a more amateur look, possibly? I think this technique works as it makes the video seem more quirky and rustic! I believe the more complex music videos are made by Fleet Foxes as they have an older style of work e.g. overlaying shots, slow panning, medieval fonts etc. Here are a few screenshots of their work:

Bombay Bicycle Club - Dust on the Ground

Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why

The Maccabees - First Love

Lighting

I do not wish to concentrate on the lighting for this music video. This is because I will be using iStop-Motion, therefore it would be extremely tricky and almost impossible to keep the lighting the same all the way through a shot, especially when recording outdoors! Even indoors.... I could black out windows in the room, but I believe it would be more interesting if the lighting would change. An existing music video 'End Love - OK GO' record the whole music video in what seems to be a public park. The lighting continuously alternates throughout the video, but the main attraction is the subject matter, in this case, the four men dressed in vibrant clothing! Because I am using more than one person in my video, I believe the video would look more interesting if the lighting changes!.

OK Go: End Love from Rockonlelkek Staff on Vimeo.

Next Week's Achievements

By next week I intend to finish recording our own version of 'White Winter Hymnal' using GarageBand, start recording the first few scenery shots, and record me and Luke miming my version! Because of the weather conditions, I am debating on whether to use less outdoor scenery as I did not intend to include snow. Also it would be a challenge to keep the paper heads in the same place, same angle etc. with the wind! To overcome this I could either take a wind-braker and place it close to the heads, or I could record the majority of my footage indoors. I believe this would still be effective, and interesting. I had an idea of someone holding my camcorder out of my sun roof of my car whilst driving. Going down bendy roads, and capturing awesome scenery! I could then delete the clips I do not wish to use (using iMovie).

Storyboard - First Draft

Here is a collection of drawings which I gathered to give you a brief understanding of what I attempt to achieve! These are not in the correct order as I haven't fully decided which order they will go, however, if I cannot decide I could make a quiesionnaire and ask people what order they would prefer!


Autumn Parks
This location I believe would go especially well with the folk genre as I wish to capture an autumn park! This gives the music video a warm appeal.

This scene could perhaps be the opening scene, with no singing, maybe just soft guitar intro to the song, giving it a more ambient mood. Also using a homemade camera dolly would make the scene more interesting and smoother!

Fields/Farms etc.

I believe capturing english countryside/fields etc. will reflect the folk genre. Also including props as large as tractors (maybe) in the background would look interesting.

I will later find some more fields I wish to include in the video. Being surrounded by fields at home is ideal as its close, and easy to carry equipment!

Talking Orange

I thought that this scene could be recorded by using the macro setting on my camcorder. This scene is meant to be humorous to maybe stop boredom. I want this music video to be extremely spontanious, as well having no meaning with the song!

Seaside

Being beside the seaside will be interesting, however it will be challenging as the wind will be stronger than normal conditions. I may have to use an alternative material for the heads, using card instead of paper!

Household Objects

Again, continue to use random objects and sticking smaller heads to objects such as mugs and cans etc.

Brick Walls

Using brick walls will give the scene a more rugged look to it! Also making it slightly urban. By placing the head to the right, I can add other objects to the wall, such as text. A recent post on this blog has a prototype of this certain scene!!

Making a Dolly

Recording my Short Opening Title Sequence last year for AS Media, I felt it was too jumpy and didn't have any smooth camera movements! I do not wish to make the same mistake this time. I will overcome this by making a homemade camera dolly, using, PVC poles, and skateboard wheels. And maybe a wooden surface to sit the tripod on.

Here is an example of one which I hope to make!

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer

I found an awesome Music Video which use similar techniques I wish to use for mine! Directed by Stephen R. Johnson. Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay provided

claymation, pixilation, and stop motion animation that gave life to images in the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyc37aOqT0

Music Video Research

Whilst researching the conventions of music video I came across this website that was very useful.

1. Credits. Yes, yes, it adds a cinematic element to the video. Yes, yes, it makes everything look professional and epic. Awesome, it’s like the audience is watching a movie. But what’s the major difference between music videos and feature films? Oh, I don’t know, maybe about two hours! Also, millions upon millions of cash. Yes, some videos deserve special admiration for its technical feats but credits? Really? It just looks so pretentious. And if there’s one thing musicians want to avoid it’s being pretentious.

2. Sound effects/dialogue. I’ve watched a lot of videos and this is one kernel of truth I’ve discovered: all music videos aspire to be movies. The director usually wants to be filming a movie, the crew usually wants to be filming a movie and we all know the artist wants to be filming a movie. This leads to silly little ideas like adding dialogue or special effects to a music video. Explosions, heavy rain, bad bits of conversation. Yuck. Is this a MUSIC video? Why are people talking? Why does this feel like a film trailer? Oh, that’s right, everyone’s stuck in a state of arrested development and can’t come to terms with the fact that they’re not Brad Pitt. Deal with it, people! Cut out all the extra bells and whistles, it comes across as stupid and contrived.

3. Too much story. This is the biggest one of all. A music video is best when it realizes the confines of the medium. Let’s be honest: you’ve got a couple minutes to draw in the viewer’s attention and leave a lasting impression. Use those few minutes in your favor! Be creative, be inventive! Try something new! It’s a horrible idea to try and create a larger-than-life story and cram it into the short amount of time. It never works, it looks silly and it lends to parody.

http://www.rocknrollview.com/blog/2009/03/18/what-makes-a-good-music-video/

Prototypes of Music Video

Here are some photos of locations with a cut out head included, just to give you an idea of what the Music Video will look like/include. These are only draft 'prototypes' I have made on photoshop, but hopefully have given you an idea of what we are looking to achieve! Both of these heads will in turn, be moving, and will be in sync with the song!

Chosen Song for Music Video

On my Prezi (Initial Ideas) I had gathered several songs that I thought would suit the

Music Video. Me and Luke decided to use a song by a band named Fleet Foxes, called 'White Winter Hymnal. Here is a hyperlink to the song! Do not pay any attention to the video. Although it is an awesome video, there is no relevance to it! Because it is unlikely to get in touch with the band, I plan to re-record/cover this song, using mine and Luke's voice, a guitar, and some other simple instruments, such as a bass drum, and a tambourine!

SONG!

http://vimeo.com/1309452

Task Management

So far, me and Luke have split up the tasks 50/50. I will be creating a storyboard, designing a CD cover for the DigiPak, searching for locations to film the Music Video, and making a questionnaire. To see what Luke's tasks are, here is the hyperlink!

http://a2medialukebamber.blogspot.com/2010/11/task-management.html

DigiPak

Definition of a digipak (Digi-Pak)!

A Digipak is used mainly for CD singles or special editions of CD albums. The style of a digipak differs from a normal CD case (Jewel Cases) as they typically consist of a gatefold paperboard or card stock outer binding. These cases are capable of holding more than one plastic tray to hold the CD/DVD.

Example of Digipak!

There are various different examples that can be used. For example the one shown is a fairly popular design with a front cover, an inside flap and 6 overal sides. Whereas the digipak for The Gorillaz - 'Demon Days' album has a front cover and 3 inside flaps that fold out, including the front cover, create the shape of a vertical cross showing the 4 band members images around the cd tray, which is in the centre. Also may add attention to the actual CD!

CD Cover research

Here is a link to my Research of CD Covers

http://prezi.com/kyu3j9igwhoj/cd-cover-research/

Music Video Research

After looking at the music videos that inspired me, they all start off with a calm/slow feel to it. Depending on the song, which would reflect the mood of the video. The mood can be represented by colour, speed of shots, the location of the shot etc. I looked at a Music Video called 'Torn On The Platform', from a solo artist named Jack Peñate. Like the other music videos, it starts off slow and steady, however because the song is quite jumpy and a mixture of a alternative/ska genre, the mood picks up rapidly. Like this music video I indend to start off the Music Video at a slow speed, perhaps recording a location in the morning, with the sun rising etc. Me and Luke will record a cover of a song named White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes, which is a soft, and slightly slow song at the start, which progresses in the middle. With the song getting more interesting in the middle, the Music Video will do the same!

My Animatic

Potential Blog Titles

Storyboard
Planning
Research
Representations
Influences
Layout
Design
Audience feedback
Target audience
Conventions
Sound
Editing
Camera angles
Techniques used
Marketing
Media terminology
Presentations
References
Progress reports

Marks Im Aiming For

Level 3 12–15 marks

There is proficient research into similar products and a potential target audience.

There is proficient organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props.

There is proficient work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding.

Time management is good.

There is a good level of care in the presentation of the research and planning.

There is proficient skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation.

There are proficient communication skills.

Level 3 12–15 marks

There is proficient understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.

There is proficient understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.

There is proficient understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.

There is proficient understanding of the significance of audience feedback.

There is proficient skill in choice of form in which to present the evaluation.

There is proficient ability to communicate.

There is proficient use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.



Level 4
The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:

using IT appropriately for the task set;

showing understanding of conventions of layout and page design;

showing awareness of the need for variety in fonts and text size;

accurate use of language and register;

appropriately integrating illustration and text;

framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate;

using a variety of shot distances as appropriate;

shooting material appropriate to the task set;

selecting mise-en-scène including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting;

manipulating photographs as appropriate to the context for presentation, including within text, within particular IT programmes, cropping and resizing.

Where a candidate has worked in a group, an excellent contribution to construction is evident.

Music Video Brief, Initial Ideas, and Pitch

Here is the Hyperlink to my Music Video Pitch:

















http://prezi.com/4qsdj61liqcl/edit/#1

Animatics Storyboard

In animation and special effects work, the storyboarding stage may be followed by simplified mock-ups called "animatics" to give a better idea of how the scene will look and feel with motion and timing. At its simplest, an animatic is a series of still images edited together and displayed in sequence. More commonly, a rough dialogue and/or rough sound track is added to the sequence of still images (usually taken from a storyboard) to test whether the sound and images are working effectively together.
This allows the animators and directors to work out any screenplay, camera positioning, shot list and timing issues that may exist with the current storyboard. The storyboard and soundtrack are amended if necessary, and a new animatic may be created and reviewed with the director until the storyboard is perfected. Editing the film at the animatic stage can avoid animation of scenes that would be edited out of the film. Animation is usually an expensive process, so there should be a minimum of "deleted scenes" if the film is to be completed within budget.
Often storyboards are animated with simple zooms and pans to simulate camera movement (using non-linear editing software). These animations can be combined with available animatics, sound effects and dialog to create a presentation of how a film could be shot and cut together. Some feature film DVD special features include production animatics.
Animatics are also used by advertising agencies to create inexpensive test commercials. A variation, the "rip-o-matic", is made from scenes of existing movies, television programs or commercials, to simulate the look and feel of the proposed commercial. Rip, in this sense, refers to ripping-off an original work to create a new one.